Zheng Zeguang "Firefighting" In DC; 2018 The New 1984?; Australia "like a piece of chewing gum sticking to the sole of a Chinese shoe"; Counter-Espionage Law - Sinocism 12.06.17

Happy Wednesday, winter is finally coming to DC and we may even get some snow flurries later this week. Speaking of snow, the publication schedule will change slightly over the Christmas Holiday. The week of December 18th and the 25th there should be 2-3 issues each week. China does not shut for the Christmas Holiday and so I would prefer not to just go dark for a whole week.

Yesterday’s newsletter noted that:

“US-China relations may be to heading towards a precipitous change. Beijing is concerned and is taking steps this week to try to forestall more nastiness.“

Six days ago, soon after the most recent North Korean missile launch, President Trump tweeted:

Just spoke to President XI JINPING of China concerning the provocative actions of North Korea. Additional major sanctions will be imposed on North Korea today. This situation will be handled!

So far nothing new has been announced. Beijing appears unwilling to move much more, and believes it has already done its part. That view does not …